One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 44: Kuzan.

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The quiet market of Alubarna was no more. A suffocating cloud of dust swirled through the streets, choking the once-vivid scene of life and trade. The ground trembled as shards of stone and splinters of wood erupted from a crumbling house, its walls breached entirely. From the very top of the structure, two figures—King and Elizabeth—had plummeted through each floor until they struck the earth with a force that split the cobblestones. Debris flew everywhere, leaving the city square in ruins.

Garp stood atop the roof of what was left of the building. His boots ground against the crumbling tiles, one foot planted firmly while the other dangled lazily over the edge. He gazed down through the gaping hole that spanned several floors, his shadow falling over the destruction below. A faint breeze caught the edges of his admiral's coat, causing it to flutter slightly. His face was illuminated by the harsh sunlight, but his expression was as cold and unyielding as iron.

"Seems I didn't hit them directly," Garp muttered, flexing his right hand. The skin there was reddened, a faint crackle of energy dissipating into the air. He looked at his palm with mild irritation, clenching it once more. "Something soft cushioned their fall."

From below, the distant cries of the townsfolk echoed as chaos spread across the capital of Alabasta. Screaming citizens rushed through the streets, urged on by the city guards and royal soldiers who barked orders to evacuate. It was a cacophony of panic—the thundering of feet, the wailing of children, the clanging of pots and belongings hastily gathered. Under the direction of General Igaram, the evacuation was swift, though not without its casualties.

Garp took a step forward, peering further into the void below, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. "No time to waste," he muttered. But as he prepared to descend, the air in front of him shimmered.

In an instant, a figure materialized—a blur of gold and green that resolved into a man. His blonde hair glowed like fire in the sunlight, disheveled yet striking. His emerald-green eyes burned with unrestrained fury, locked onto Garp with an intensity that made the seasoned admiral's brow twitch.

Meliodas.

Garp's expression shifted slightly—an almost imperceptible widening of his eyes, a rare occurrence for the battle-hardened marine.

In less than a heartbeat, Meliodas moved. His foot shot out with explosive force, slamming into Garp's abdomen.

BAM!

The sound echoed like a cannon blast. Garp's massive frame was sent hurtling backward, his body tearing through a neighboring building. Walls crumbled and furniture splintered as he crashed into the structure, his landing accompanied by an enormous cloud of debris and dust.

The crowd's screams grew louder. The ground shook as Garp's impact caused another building to collapse partially, sending more rubble tumbling into the streets. Meliodas stood motionless on the rooftop, the rage in his eyes unwavering. Behind him, the city was in chaos, the civilians scattering like ants beneath a collapsing anthill. Blood had begun to stain the cobblestone streets, though whether from injuries or sheer terror, it was impossible to tell.

The wind carried the faint scent of destruction, tugging at Meliodas's golden hair. His grip tightened on the hilt of Lostvayne, the blade gleaming faintly in the sunlight. The world seemed to hold its breath as the captain of the crew surveyed the destruction he had inadvertently caused.

Without a word, he leapt through the jagged hole in the roof, descending like a lightning bolt. He passed through broken beams and shattered walls, his hair billowing behind him as he landed lightly on the ground floor. Dust and debris swirled around him, settling just enough to reveal a curious sight.

At the center of the wreckage lay a large, green, spherical object, its surface patterned with ornate dark green designs. It pulsed faintly, as though alive. Meliodas wasted no time.

"Elizabeth! King!" he shouted, rushing forward.

The sphere quivered at his voice. Slowly, it began to deflate, shrinking and reshaping itself until it was nothing more than a luxurious green pillow. Revealed beneath it were Elizabeth and King, unscathed.

Elizabeth's blue eyes widened in shock, darting from Meliodas to the devastation around them. "What… what just happened?" she asked, her voice trembling. Sunlight filtered through the shattered ceiling above, casting ethereal rays across her figure.

King floated just above the ground, his wings tucked tightly against his back. He sat atop his pillow, arms crossed. "Looks like they aren't going to let us leave without a fight," he said, his tone calm but edged with irritation.

Meliodas's gaze hardened. His hand tightened around Lostvayne. "Then I have no choice."

With a sharp breath, Meliodas summoned four identical clones of himself, each wielding a version of his blade. They materialized around him, their expressions mirroring his determination. In unison, they spoke:

"We'll finish this."

King sighed, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "I suppose I'll lend you a hand… for a little while."

But Meliodas shook his head, his gaze shifting to Elizabeth. "No. Protect her. That's all I ask of you."

King raised an eyebrow, his brown eyes glinting with mild amusement. "Protecting her won't be difficult. But are you sure you'll be fine on your own?"

"They're here for me," Meliodas replied, his voice low and resolute. "If I can keep their attention, you'll have time to get her out of here."

Before King could respond, a new sensation rippled through the air—a chilling cold that gnawed at the edges of their senses. Frost began to spread along the walls and floor, coating the wreckage in a thin layer of ice. The temperature plummeted, and their breaths became visible in the frigid air.

King frowned, his wings twitching. "Ice?"

Meliodas's expression darkened. "King… I'm counting on you."

Without another word, Meliodas's clones burst into action. One leapt through a shattered window, another through the door. A third clone smashed through a wall, while the original remained momentarily rooted.

Outside, the city was unrecognizable. Every surface—fruits, carts, rooftops—was coated in a crystalline layer of ice. The once-bustling market was a frozen wasteland, glinting eerily under the blazing sun. Despite the heat of the Alabasta desert, the chill was bone-deep.

Then came the sound of footsteps, slow and deliberate. Each step spread another wave of frost, the ground crackling as ice expanded outward. The air seemed to freeze in the presence of the approaching figure.

Aokiji Kuzan stepped into view, his admiral's coat fluttering in the cold wind he generated. His sharp gaze locked onto Meliodas, and a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"So this is the trick you used to make us chase an empty ship," Kuzan said, his tone calm and measured. "Clever."

Meliodas stood atop a nearby rooftop, his clones positioned strategically around him. His green eyes met Kuzan's unflinching gaze. "I hope my ship is still in one piece," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.

The air crackled with icy energy as Kuzan raised a hand, frost forming around his fingertips. "No need to worry about that," he replied, his voice carrying an edge of finality. "Because you're not leaving this city."

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